"My favorite thing are the beach wheels and being able to go out onto the sand by myself, doing that by myself. Not having to have somebody push me or carry me out there . . . It's really nice to push myself on the beach. The chair makes a huge difference."

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses how the Freedom Chair allows her to make the most of snowy, Winter conditions!

Over 30% of GRIT Freedom Chair riders have never used a manual wheelchair before. Individuals with difficulty walking find that the GRIT Freedom Chair enables easier travel over long distances and rough terrain than their walkers, canes, or crutches. If this is your first wheeled mobility device, you might have some questions, and we're here to help.

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses how the Freedom Chair can help you tackle the various obstacles you might encounter in a paved environment.

Sometimes finances are tight due to medical bills, emergency car repairs, and other unexpected circumstances. Don't let tight funds keep you from achieving your goals of moving beyond the pavement or participating in a sport! With some creativity, you can fundraise for the adaptive equipment you need. Here are some ideas to get you started

Accessible Nature

We camped at Snaring River, where the only sites available were a couple of walk-in sites. We grabbed one and used my wheelchair to help carry the large and heavy car camping gear. After several trips down a medium-packed gravel path, we ended up enjoying what was probably our best – most private and best view, not far from a flowing river – campsite of the trip.

We were drawn to the famous "larch march," this year. We drove to Rainy Pass in the Northern Cascades, where a hike to Rainy Lake took us through temperate rainforest, fall colors, chilly temperatures, and patches of snow from a recent snowstorm to a mountain lake surrounded by more fall colors, high mountains, and -- far away -- views of golden larches.

"I've compiled a list of wheelchair-accessible hikes in Washington from my own experience and added some links to other resources. I hope that this information will help other wheelchair hikers in the state, and that readers will share their own recommendations."

Modern innovation has allowed people with a variety of abilities to access activities they couldn't in the past. But with so much technology to choose from, how do you decide what's for you? We've put together this handy guide to help you through the process.

Editor's Note: This is the sixteenth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more

Editor's Note: This is the fifthteenth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more

Editor's Note: This is the fourteenth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more.

Editor's Note: This is the thirteenth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more.

Editor's Note: This is the twelfth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more

Editor's Note: This is the eleventh post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more.

Editor's Note: This is the tenth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Take a look at our previous posts for more:

This is the fourth post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which details the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country. Check our list for Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona here, Arkansas, Colorado, and California here and Connecticut, Delaware, and Florida here.

The America the Beautiful Pass, otherwise known as the The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, is a free lifetime pass available to US citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. Passes can be obtained via phone, online, or in person at any of these recreation sites.

This is the second post in our ABCs of Accessible Trails series, which will detail the best accessible trails in State and National Parks across the country, featuring Arkansas, California, and Colorado.

We think it's important for everyone, regardless of age or ability, to spend time outdoors - and so does the Federal government. The America the Beautiful Pass, otherwise known as the The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, is a free lifetime pass available to US citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. Passes can be obtained via phone, online, or in person at any of these recreation sites.

It's a GRIT Life

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses how the Freedom Chair allows her to make the most of snowy, Winter conditions!

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses how the Freedom Chair can help you tackle the various obstacles you might encounter in a paved environment.

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses the versatility of the GRIT Freedom Chair, and how this one piece of equipment can serve a variety of situations.

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she talks all about the lever drive system of the GRIT Freedom Chair.

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses how taking a devoted Trail Buddy with her on adventures has not only enhanced her abilities with her GRIT Freedom Chair, but also strengthened those relationships.

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses how the GRIT Freedom Chair allows her to continue exploring in nature with her canine companion!

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she talks about how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in one of her favorite activities: hiking!

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. In today's episode she talks about using the Freedom Chair on a recent camping trip!

In her new series,IT'S A GRIT LIFE, Nerissa shares how the GRIT Freedom Chair helps her to continue engaging in her favorite activities and living a life of adventure. Today she discusses using the Freedom Chair in all different types of sand.

Dive into Design

Over 30% of GRIT Freedom Chair riders have never used a manual wheelchair before. Individuals with difficulty walking find that the GRIT Freedom Chair enables easier travel over long distances and rough terrain than their walkers, canes, or crutches. If this is your first wheeled mobility device, you might have some questions, and we're here to help.

Here at GRIT, we want to make sure you can customize your Freedom Chair to suit your needs, which is why we offer a wide variety of accessories in our shop. With so many accessories available, though, how can you be sure what is right for you? Well, we are here to help! Read on to find out about - ACS High Precision Freewheels

The GRIT Freedom Chair 2.0 and the GRIT Freedom Chair Forward are two great options for off-road mobility. This post will go through the similarities and differences so that you can choose the one that's right for you.

We've had a lot of requests for Freedom Chairs in kid sizes, but kids grow quickly, and with such a wide variety of sizing it would be impossible to make the right size for every child. With our new Kid Kit, small riders can continue to use their Freedom Chair as they grow.

Today we are extra excited to announce the addition of our GRIT Trail Bags, our first accessory that was developed by a GRIT Freedom Chair rider, for GRIT Freedom Chair riders. We asked Nerissa to write about how she went about developing these little beauties, and she was kind enough to agree. Read on to learn how these convenient carry alls came to be.

We're committed to manufacturing the GRIT Freedom Chair in the US. We think it's important for our country to have a strong manufacturing industry and want to do our part to support small businesses in the manufacturing sector.

We're extremely proud of the Freedom Chair's patented lever-drive. Not only does the design make it easier for riders of all abilities to get around outdoors - it's also a fantastic way to get in shape! Read on for more information for three key ways the Freedom Chair improves fitness.

Our process is rooted in a philosophy known as "human-centered design." This customer-centric approach involves iterative prototyping and careful consideration of the entire product experience. We didn't want to just make a pretty product. We wanted to make a product that met important user needs. We wanted to make a product that would help people achieve great things.

When we created the Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC)- specifically designed for disabled individuals in developing countries - we used a footrest inspired by the Whirlwind Roughrider. We designed it with a toe-guard in front, to keep the rider's feet from hitting the front wheel or obstacles in their path. It's adjustable up and down, but the process requires hand tools and is usually only done once per rider. When we redesigned the Freedom Chair for the US market, we wanted to use the LFC footrest as a starting point, but to make something even better.

I remember when the Freedom Chair was a brainstorming session on a whiteboard, in a long-neglected building in the northwest corner of the MIT campus, in a room we affectionately called the "MIT Mobility Lab." We were trying to reinvent the wheelchair, to design something that could help people with disabilities travel long distances outdoors, over rough terrain and pavement, and then move around indoors when they got to their destinations.

We like to think of the Freedom Chair as the best of beauty and brains: it's visually appealing and efficiently engineered, and it took years of dedication, multiple prototypes, and a lot of feedback from wheelchair riders to get here. Read on to learn about 6 surprisingly awesome design features of the Freedom Chair!

Fitness Features

Winter can be a magical time, full of opportunities for unique outdoor activities. Whether you love or hate the Winter Season, being well-prepared can have a positive effect on your experience. However, if you are a wheelchair user you might have to take additional preparations to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable winter season. Here are a few tips to help you put the WIN in your Winter Wheelchair Mobility!

We encourage our riders to be as active as possible, both in nature and in their communities. So we've created the GRIT Race Team, a program that will reimburse you for participating in races and events with your GRIT Freedom Chair.

Editor's note: when team GRIT received Wes Hamilton's video application to our Trailblazer program, one thing jumped out at us right away: he was filming it at his gym where, he said, he works out five days a week - and it showed! That's an impressive workout schedule, but it wasn't until we got to know Wes better that we learned about his amazing post-SCI fitness journey.

At the GRIT office we've got all eyes on Rio de Janeiro and the 2016 Paralympic Games. There's a lot to be excited about, and we'll be keeping you up to date and informed on everything you need to know, starting with the new events at this year's games. First up: the Paratriathlon.

Get to know GRIT

When people think of activities to do with the GRIT Freedom Chair, the first things that come to mind are hiking, hunting, fishing, or even going to the beach. However, the GRIT Freedom Chair is the most versatile all-terrain wheelchair on the market, and we have 5 riders here to prove it!

When you're interacting through the Internet, it's easy to forget that there are real, live people on the other side of the screen. With that in mind, we're sharing our favorite Thanksgiving traditions today on the blog - read on, and get to know team GRIT!

When I started experiencing progressive and debilitating physical symptoms around the time I turned 24, I wasn’t quite sure what the rest of my life would look like. I had always been very active, particularly enjoying outdoor activities, and I saw everything I loved being taken away from me. I had to leave the job I had at the time because I couldn’t safely and adequately perform my duties anymore. I was waiting for answers and treatment for my illness, but doctors remained baffled. Eventually, I decided I couldn’t wait anymore. I didn’t want to miss out on life and all it had to offer, so I started to research adaptive outdoor athletics. During this research period I discovered the GRIT Freedom Chair.

We've had a lot of requests for Freedom Chairs in kid sizes, but kids grow quickly, and with such a wide variety of sizing it would be impossible to make the right size for every child. With our new Kid Kit, small riders can continue to use their Freedom Chair as they grow.

We partner with three different manufacturers, all in the United States, to make the custom parts of the GRIT Freedom Chair (check out this this earlier blog post to learn more about this production methodology). We order all of our bike parts, fasteners, and other parts from national distributors. Everything gets shipped to our Boston office, where it's inspected, catalogued, and put on the shelf, where it waits to be assembled.

When we launched the GRIT website and started selling the Freedom Chair online, we realized that we wanted to do more than simply offer a new type of all terrain wheelchair; we wanted to change the entire shopping experience for our customers.

We're committed to manufacturing the GRIT Freedom Chair in the US. We think it's important for our country to have a strong manufacturing industry and want to do our part to support small businesses in the manufacturing sector.

it's usually easy to find detailed information online comparing and contrasting big ticket items, but we've noticed that there's not a lot of that type of information out there for the different categories of wheelchair. Since we've got summertime on our minds, we thought a roundup of beach wheelchairs might be a useful thing to put together.

This year for Mother's Day, instead of doing a sale or promotion, Team GRIT is doing something a little different. We want to take a minute to publicly show our appreciation for the women, without whom, we wouldn't be here (for more reasons than one). So, to all the moms of GRIT, we want to say thanks for everything you do for us - we appreciate it more than you know!

There are a lot of different kinds of all terrain wheelchairs out there, and because we truly believe that people of all abilities should have the opportunity to spend more time outdoors, we've tried to include a few options from every category.

Picking a college or university is hard enough when all the information you need is right on the admission page. but for disabled collegiate hopefuls, the important information isn't always easy to find, which is why we've created a complete guide to collegiate adaptive athletics

Financing tips

We at GRIT believe that finances shouldn’t limit your access to the equipment you need to reclaim your active lifestyle. Because of this belief, we work hard to help each individual find the funds they need to move beyond the pavement. In some cases, a grant may be the best option.

As a small company, happy customers are GRIT’s most important asset, so we want to show our thanks to you for helping us spread the word. If you are a current GRIT Freedom Chair user, read on to discover how you can get rewards through our Referral Program.

At Grit, we're committing to bringing the Freedom Chair to as many people as possible, regardless of income. In previous blog posts, we've talked about different types of financial support available for adaptive sports equipment, and put together a list of Financial Loan Programs. Today's topic? Creating a successful crowdfunding campaign.

We feel strongly that a lack of money shouldn't prevent anyone from being able to live life beyond the pavement and enjoy the freedom of outdoor mobility. We've already created this list with some helpful suggestions for financial assistance, but we want to do more to help: read on for a complete list of Financial Loan Programs organized by state.

everyday more and more adaptive athletic equipment is being invented and improved, which is fantastic. However, many of these products are not covered by insurance, and paying out of pocket can get pricey. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together a diverse list of ways to make it easier to afford adaptive athletic equipment. Remember - you are your own best resource: if you can dream it, you can do it!

Rider Spotlights

"My favorite thing are the beach wheels and being able to go out onto the sand by myself, doing that by myself. Not having to have somebody push me or carry me out there . . . It's really nice to push myself on the beach. The chair makes a huge difference."

It's not just our Freedom Chair Riders that are a part of the GRIT Family. The Freedom Chair experience extends to our riders' loved ones as well. We wanted to highlight those Trail Buddies who accompany our riders on their adventures, and hear about how the Freedom Chair has helped their loved ones. Today's Trail Buddy Spotlight is Kelsom Owens.

"The first weekend I had it I went down to the park, and it was great because I could push around. Some of the trails are gravel and some of them are dirt, but it let me get out and enjoy the fresh air again . . . "Just leaving the pavement; simple things like just going in my backyard . . . This is the best chair I’ve found that can do that."

Tyler Rich is an active 25 year old living with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. He began participating in obstacle course races after receiving his Freedom Chair, and the activity took on a life of it's own. After logging over 50 official race miles in 2017, Tyler is impressed with the durability of his GRIT Freedom Chair: "The fact that I have been so rough on it and it still works as well as the day I got it is impressive."

The ground was uneven in places and had a thick covering of grass and stones. The Freedom Chair with its levers gave me the ability to move around and get close up to take photos. Carrying my camera gear, a tripod and cell phone was tricky, but I managed to make it work. My chair was a muddy mess, but I loved every minute of it. I am excited by all the possibilities this opens for me, and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you.

"The activities I enjoy in my Freedom Chair are going on hikes with my family! Going out on the beach and riding by the water is huge highlight since getting a Freedom Chair! I love to go surf fishing as well in my Freedom Chair. It also makes going camping so much easier! I have taken it hunting and also use it when I go to the firing range for target practice."

"I was able to roam freely at our annual Arts for All Festival, and tour the event booths for the first time in 6 yrs. I saw many old friends for the first time in a long time, and am very grateful for my Freedom Chair which made it all happen . . . It takes some getting used to, but restores much of the independence that has been missing in my life."

"Being able to move and be active outdoors with the people I love! It's an amazing tool that has allowed me to do more of the things that I would normally miss out on because of my intense chronic pain that is made worse by walking. It's so life giving to have some independence and freedom to explore outdoors in my chair!"

Nico Serra has battled the effects of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. He was eager for equipment that would allow him to get back into nature and exercise while protecting his joints: “The GRIT Freedom Chair [allows] me to go to the park down the street, a place that was previously not accessible to me. The chair really embodies the idea that everyone should have access to the outdoors . . . It's 90% more efficient, it doesn't destroy your joints."

"It’s liberating and I’m getting to do all this stuff that, quite frankly, I never thought I would never be able to do again . . . It has surpassed all of my hopes and expectations in terms of getting around on rougher terrain and being able to hike again and being able to get back out in the field."

At GRIT, our youngest riders hold a place close to our heart: there's nothing more incredible than seeing the joy on a child's face when they take their first ride in a GRIT Freedom Chair. This week's Rider's Spotlight features Jayden the Scout!

"The Freedom Chair provides so many opportunities for individuals with physical challenges, but the number one reason I like it is because it allows me to add another way to exercise and to compete to stay healthy and strong . . . I can now add trail races to the list of achievements. Without the Freedom Chair, I couldn’t experience what most trail runners feel after they have conquered trail distances . . .Simply put, I love the Freedom Chair."

“The places that I can go. We find off road trails in the parks. I could never have done these trails in my regular chair. In the past I've tried it, and my friends have assisted me. And now I don't need much assistance.”

"Getting this wheelchair was a no-brainer for me. I needed to be able to go beyond the confines of basic wheelchair access and I wanted to find another way to get aerobic exercise that works for me. The Freedom Chair definitely fulfills these needs."

Nearly two weeks ago, we asked you to submit a photo showing where you would go in a GRIT Freedom Chair, and the answers ranged far and wide. There were a lot of great entries, but ultimately, there was one submission that stood out.

"I love the GRIT Freedom Chair because it does offer me a tremendous amount of freedom. I have FSH muscular dystrophy and have been unable to hike or simply walk around my block for a number of years. It also gives me quite a workout! As people with disabilities know it can be difficult to get quality exercise, especially cardio."

"This is an awesome off-road wheelchair that has opened up my world immensely. Not only can I easily navigate dirt roads, mud, lawns, snow and ice, but I am now able to get to many more places in nature that I was no longer able to get to."

"The past few weeks I have had the thrill of telling friends, family and community members that I’ve been spending my time doing something that I have never been able to do before, that is moving a manual wheelchair [the Freedom Chair] independently. It’s a great way for me to get exercise in the back yard."

"My GRIT Freedom Chair allows me to propel myself outside in a wheelchair, which lets my Mom and I walk and roll side by side on the paved Promenade here in Seaside, OR. I enjoy the feeling of being able to push myself, see the ocean, and have a conversation with my mom while being able to look at her (instead of her being behind me, pushing me)."

"I was able to expose my children to the wonder of the outdoors, to carry on our family tradition. I was able to give them meaningful childhood memories. The hardest part of being sick isn’t what you can no longer do for yourself, it’s what you can’t do for other people. I had to live with the guilt that I’d never be able to give my children the things they needed. But now, thanks to you, I can be the kind of a parent that I always wanted to be. I have the ability to give my kids the childhood they deserve, and to feel like a real active father again."

"The Freedom chair has allowed me to be somewhat independent again. Although I cannot do all the outdoors things I use to do, the Freedom Chair has been a great tool for getting me back into the outdoors, just in a different way.

Lately we've been ecstatic to see more and more successful Go Fund Me campaigns for Freedom Chairs being completed. Thanks to Keith Polischuk, the star of today's featured rider, we have an amazing opportunity to share the aftermath and the way these campaigns can change the lives of the people who complete them.

Today's Rider Spotlight is all about our friend Stan (the Man) Rohrer. Stan is a wheelie-popping double below-the-knee amputee, and he recently sent us this awesome series of photos showing exactly how he independently loads and unloads his Freedom Chair into his F-150 using a 4:1 pulley system he rigged up himself.

Geoff Krill knows adaptive athletics: he's a member of the National PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructor Association - American Association of Snowboard Instructors) Adaptive team and the executive director at Eastern Adaptive Sports where he oversees a wide variety of adaptive athletics that includes cycling, kayaking, surfing and water skiing.

"I am absolutely thrilled with my new Freedom Chair! I have been using it to take 'walks' around my neighborhood, a luxury I have not enjoyed for many years. It's so good to get out again! I have also taken it to a local park where they have an 8 mile trail with a lot of hills. I love going up and down hills. I haven't been able to work out this hard in years."

Our Squad Shout-Out series was created with the intent shine a spotlight on the fantastic organizations who are working hard to make the world a better place. Today's Shout-Out honors RISE Adaptive Sports!

Our Squad Shout-Out series was created with the intent shine a spotlight on the fantastic organizations who are working hard to make the world a better place. Today's Shout-Out honors Empower SCI! Empower SCI is a non-profit corporation established to enable individuals with spinal cord injuries to lead happier, more meaningful and more independent lives.

While we've got an affection for outdoor activities, we recognize that there are plenty of indoor activities that get people engaged, entertained, and connected. Today we're giving a shout-out to AbleGamers, a nonprofit that "aims to improve the qualify of life for those with disabilities through the power of video games."

Frustrated by several difficult trekking experiences using marginal equipment, amputee and SideStix™ co-founder Sarah Doherty knew there was a real need for better adaptive devices for people wanting to regain their independence.

It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.

Six months after Accessible Festivals' founder Austin Whitney was paralyzed in a car accident, he attended his first music festival. For the first time since his accident, he was smiling and enjoying life: the accommodations at the festival allowed him to experience the music just like any other attendee.

I recently had the great fortune of getting to go to Hawaii with an amazing group of athletes and an even more amazing foundation -- High Fives Foundation. High Fives has given me my life back and supported me from the beginning of my injury. They strive to get athletes (mountain athletes specifically) back out and doing what they love and so far, they've done just that.

Editor's Note: This is the second installment of our Squad Shout-Out series, created with the intent shine a spotlight on the fantastic organizations we've met during our journey who are working hard to make the world a better place.

One of the most wonderful things about GRIT's journey - from the classrooms at MIT, to the the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, to our headquarters in Boston - has been the amazing people, and organizations we've met along the way. That's why we're launching Squad Shout-Outs, a new blog series to shine a spotlight on these fantastic organizations.

We camped at Snaring River, where the only sites available were a couple of walk-in sites. We grabbed one and used my wheelchair to help carry the large and heavy car camping gear. After several trips down a medium-packed gravel path, we ended up enjoying what was probably our best – most private and best view, not far from a flowing river – campsite of the trip.

When I first started riding my GRIT Freedom Chair, it certainly made a lot of things easier in my life. However, I'm the type of person to push the limits of myself and my equipment, and it wasn't long at all before I was setting my sights on loftier summits.

The ground was uneven in places and had a thick covering of grass and stones. The Freedom Chair with its levers gave me the ability to move around and get close up to take photos. Carrying my camera gear, a tripod and cell phone was tricky, but I managed to make it work. My chair was a muddy mess, but I loved every minute of it. I am excited by all the possibilities this opens for me, and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you.

We were drawn to the famous "larch march," this year. We drove to Rainy Pass in the Northern Cascades, where a hike to Rainy Lake took us through temperate rainforest, fall colors, chilly temperatures, and patches of snow from a recent snowstorm to a mountain lake surrounded by more fall colors, high mountains, and -- far away -- views of golden larches.

Those of us who use manual wheelchairs are often forced to accept certain environmental limitations. Whether it’s broken pavement on a sidewalk, missing curb cuts, steep hills, or simply rough terrain, necessity forces wheelchair users to become experts at navigation. On the flip side, however, new accessible technology also means that these types of challenges can be overcome. More specifically, thanks to the dedicated work of a group of engineers, there’s now a wheelchair designed especially for off-road terrain: the GRIT Freedom Chair.

I hadn’t been there in years. My last memories there were with my sidekick of a dog running through the woods down to the stream and crawling through the piney hills. This time I was prepared with my Green Machine, and my faithful sidekicks. There were smooth pine covered trails with some nice big roots here and there (I’ve grown to love the rooty, rocky stuff in this chair! Feels good climbing through tight spots on my wheels. Mini victories every time!). The woods were fairly open which allowed me to truly get off trail. I smashed through some dry underbrush and poked around like the “good ol’ days”.

Now I had a piece of equipment that in many instances could put me on an equal playing field with an able-bodied person. Now I could take myself INTO nature again instead of simply observing from the sidelines. I hope to be an example to show that people with mobility challenges WANT to come into nature.

Would I recommend the Freedom Trail to a wheelchair user looking for an activity to do in Boston? Absolutely! In spite of the barriers in my way it was still an enjoyable day and a fascinating trek. Above all, do not let the fear of obstacles stop you from an adventure! After all, it's when things don't go right that you come away with the best stories.

When my birthday rolled around, my friends decided to treat me to what a New England beach had to offer.None of this would have been possible without my GRIT Freedom Chair. Every day I use it I'm grateful to the designers, but when I overcome a new obstacle like a beach I'm overcome with appreciation. My Freedom Chair is the reason that my chronic illness hasn't kept my from living an active and adventurous life. I look forward to many more "GRIT" days in the future!

We encourage our riders to be as active as possible, both in nature and in their communities. So we created the GRIT Race Team, a program that will reimburse you for participating in races and events with your GRIT Freedom Chair. Recently, active Freedom Chair Rider Eric Baker took advantage of this program to participate in the Fire K Fun Run in his community.

I have to say that folks heads turn daily while I'm riding around in my "Green Machine." It is exciting to tell them about how I got it, and the great opportunities this company is creating for so many people! Thank you GRIT for this opportunity! The following months will be epic, and I am so excited to share them with all!

In the GRIT Freedom Chair, as opposed to my standard daily chair, I am not viewed as an individual struggling to get by. I am viewed as someone driven, able, and powerful. This change in perception will not only influence positive self-image, it can promote social change as well. If an individual with a disability can be seen as strong instead of weak, that opens up opportunities for them. Instead of people assuming what they CAN’T do, they start to think about what they CAN do.

"I've compiled a list of wheelchair-accessible hikes in Washington from my own experience and added some links to other resources. I hope that this information will help other wheelchair hikers in the state, and that readers will share their own recommendations."

Nothing says adventure like a happy dog! Even as a wheelchair user you should be able to safely, efficiently, and independently take your dog with you as much as possible. Read on to find out about different tips, tricks, and gear options to help you roll along with your dog!

What is that saying? "You can't choose what happens to you, but you can choose how you react to it." I didn't choose to get sick. I didn't choose to experience chronic pain, widespread inflammation, motor control difficulties, and more. I didn't choose any of that, but I choose to use a wheelchair.

This summer I was able to combine two modes of seated activities -- boats and wheelchairs -- in an epic adventure. In this way, I could enjoy the things I love, be a part of an adventure that may have otherwise excluded me, see new areas, and spend time with family members I don't often see.

After years of practice -- honing a method and building trust, Ted and I have reclaimed our previous pastime of outdoor activities. We can be found many weekends either tandem skiing or tandem hiking. Tandem does not mean a free ride. Tandem hiking requires working together as a team.

After the challenges of wheelchair hiking in the Washington mountains, it was downright magical to find easily-accessible trails. We spent three days in Monterey, enjoying tourist attractions, recreating memories, and searching for otters.

Many nature areas and national parks have designated “accessible” hiking trails. However, these are typically merely paved trails. While the scenery can be pretty, these trails are scarce, so it’s important not to limit yourself to only those places that are designated “accessible.” Thanks to the GRIT Freedom Chair, you now have the opportunity to explore places otherwise deemed inaccessible for certain disabilities!

I recently flew with my husband, Ted, from our home in Seattle, WA to Monterey, CA for a long weekend. As an experiment, I took the GRIT Freedom Chair as my only wheelchair. I decided to use this experience as a jolt to my preparation penchant and to finally write something. So, no, this is not a complete list, and yes, someone serious about flying with a wheelchair should gather additional advice before embarking. But this is my meager contribution to a small but important field.

When I lost the use of my legs, I thought I had also lost the wilderness in my life. With a concentrated effort of creativity and flexibility, along with a good dose of humility, I found my way back into camping again. After years of experimentation and adaptation, I finally found a set-up that works for me.

we're thrilled to announce that there is now a "Community Freedom Chair" available in Orange, MA that individuals can use to explore the expansive network of trails in the region. It's all thanks to a local organization called the North Quabbin Trails Association who rallied their community to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their mobility level.

No matter how positive we are, we are all bound to have a bad day. I find myself being overwhelmingly positive 99.9% of the time, which makes a rough day so much harder to face. The worst part is that there is no way to predict when a bad day is going to come, they just...happen.

I can tell you, over the past 15 years I have often felt as though I am under physical restraint due to my everyday wheelchair. It does not allow me to get to far off road or to get across a gravel driveway with ease. Thankfully, that all changed last March when I got my GRIT Freedom Chair.

It’s hard to put into words exactly what it feels like to be given your life back after you have suffered a great loss. It never happens in one moment. It never moves in a constant upward direction. Sometimes, you have to go down a little, so you can then go further up.

My main goals were to find something that would roll over rocks, roots, and small steps. I wanted something that would work on mud, sand, and snow. Ideally, this chair would also move forward as well as stop in rain.

I recently had the great fortune of getting to go to Hawaii with an amazing group of athletes and an even more amazing foundation -- High Fives Foundation. High Fives has given me my life back and supported me from the beginning of my injury. They strive to get athletes (mountain athletes specifically) back out and doing what they love and so far, they've done just that.